Conversations about technology, growth, and untold stories. Ruben Ugarte is a Data Strategist that helps companies use data to make higher quality decisions to lower acquisition costs, save hundreds of thousands of dollars, and reclaim wasted time. He has done this with technology companies across 5 continents across all company stages.
Do customers actually care about marketing awards? I doubt it but let's dive more into this week's episode. If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe and leave a rating within your favorite podcast platform, e.g., Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and so forth.
Everyone talks about culture but are you promoting the correct values or encouraging doping and cheating?If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe and leave a rating within your favorite podcast platform, e.g., Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and so forth.
The death of human creativity in an AI-powered world has been greatly exaggerated. Learn how AI is making humans better at what they do and why we should be hopeful for the future.If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe and leave a rating within your favorite podcast platform, e.g., Apple Podcasts, Spotify, etc.
It's never been easier to become a global brand. However, to be global, you have to go local. Learn more about this counterintuitive lesson in today's episode.If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe and leave a rating within your favorite podcast platform, e.g., Apple Podcasts, Spotify, etc.
You're always hearing about B2B and B2C, but I'm here to show you why these labels are no longer helpful and how to think about your customers in today's world.If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe and leave a rating within your favorite podcast platform, e.g., Apple Podcasts, Spotify, etc.
Teams can easily find themselves in a rabbit hole, unsure which way is up or down. This episode talks about the three rabbit holes that trip up companies the most.If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe and leave a rating within your favorite podcast platform, e.g., Apple Podcasts, Spotify, etc.
I'm seeing marketing teams split themselves into two camps: the classically-trained and the data-driven. What's the right approach for your company?If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe and leave a rating within your favorite podcast platform, e.g., Apple Podcasts, Spotify, etc.
In another edition of "Dumb Ideas", we look at why some companies want to pay different salaries based on where their employees live. Who comes up with this stuff?If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe and leave a rating within your favorite podcast platform, e.g., Apple Podcasts, Spotify, etc.
When computers started beating human players, chess was supposed to be over. Instead, Magnus Carlsen is showing that not only is chess thriving, but computers and data have made chess even better.If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe and leave a rating within your favorite podcast platform, e.g., Apple Podcasts, Spotify, etc.
Companies don't always have to hire new roles to deal with new tasks and responsibilities. Instead, redistributing work among your existing team members can be highly effective. Learn how to do this in this week's episode properly.If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe and leave a rating within your favorite podcast platform, e.g., Apple Podcasts, Spotify, etc.
Zillow tried to use AI and data to make house flipping profitable at scale, but they had to shut down this unit at a loss of $420 million. Learn the three mistakes that Zillow made and what companies in this space should be thinking about.If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe and leave a rating within your favorite podcast platform, e.g., Apple Podcasts, Spotify, etc.
Being able to rapidly discover insights in your data is the holy grail for companies. This week, we look at how to improve your "Time to Insight".If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe and leave a rating within your favorite podcast platform, e.g., Apple Podcasts, Spotify, etc.
GE is finally breaking up itself into 3 companies. The breakup marks the end of an era and the death of the conglomerate. Let's look at the 3 lessons you should be thinking about.If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe and leave a rating within your favorite podcast platform, e.g., Apple Podcasts, Spotify, etc.
Executives want employees back in the office because "that's where innovation happens." That's a strategy based on hope but you need the tangible tactics I'll cover in this week's episode.If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe and leave a rating within your favorite podcast platform, e.g., Apple Podcasts, Spotify, etc.
Economists have gotten many things wrong over the past 20 years. Can more data save them from themselves and allow them to make better decisions?If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe and leave a rating within your favorite podcast platform, e.g., Apple Podcasts, Spotify, etc.P.S. If you're waiting for the pandemic to end before you update your company's strategy, you're wasting valuable time. I'll show you how to create a data-driven strategy in one day for the next 12 – 18 months. Get everyone in your team aligned on the same goals and you'll make the most out of 2022.Register here: https://rubenugarte.com/webinar-creating-a-data-driven-2022-strategy/
I got a puppy a month ago, and taking care of him has been exhausting but highly rewarding. Here are three lessons from raising and training him.If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe and leave a rating within your favorite podcast platform, e.g., Apple Podcasts, Spotify, etc.P.S. If you're waiting for the pandemic to end before you update your company's strategy, you're wasting valuable time. I'll show you how to create a data-driven strategy in one day for the next 12 – 18 months. Get everyone in your team aligned on the same goals and you'll make the most out of 2022.Register here: https://rubenugarte.com/webinar-creating-a-data-driven-2022-strategy/
There is plenty of talent to go around, but companies are refusing to adopt how they work, making everything worse. Let's talk about the future of work and how you can survive the Great Labour Shortage of 2021.If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe and leave a rating within your favorite podcast platform, e.g., Apple Podcasts, Spotify, etc.P.S. If you're waiting for the pandemic to end before you update your company's strategy, you're wasting valuable time. I'll show you how to create a data-driven strategy in one day for the next 12 – 18 months. Get everyone in your team aligned on the same goals and you'll make the most out of 2022.Register here: https://rubenugarte.com/webinar-creating-a-data-driven-2022-strategy/
There are too many dashboards at most companies and I'm here to explain how we ended up here.If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe and leave a rating within your favorite podcast platform, e.g., Apple Podcasts, Spotify, etc.P.S. If you're waiting for the pandemic to end before you update your company's strategy, you're wasting valuable time. I'll show you how to create a data-driven strategy in one day for the next 12 – 18 months. Get everyone in your team aligned on the same goals and you'll make the most out of 2022.Register here: https://rubenugarte.com/webinar-creating-a-data-driven-2022-strategy/P.S. If you're waiting for the pandemic to end before you update your company's strategy, you're wasting valuable time. I'll show you how to create a data-driven strategy in one day for the next 12 – 18 months. Get everyone in your team aligned on the same goals and you'll make the most out of 2022.Register here: https://rubenugarte.com/webinar-creating-a-data-driven-2022-strategy/
Not everyone is comfortable with data, but why causes such a vast distinction in data adoption? Learn more in this week's episode.If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe and leave a rating within your favorite podcast platform, e.g., Apple Podcasts, Spotify, etc.P.S. If you're waiting for the pandemic to end before you update your company's strategy, you're wasting valuable time. I'll show you how to create a data-driven strategy in one day for the next 12 – 18 months. Get everyone in your team aligned on the same goals and you'll make the most out of 2022.Register here: https://rubenugarte.com/webinar-creating-a-data-driven-2022-strategy/
Our desire to quantify everything is a crutch. Learn three reasons why we can't always put data behind decisions and why it might be better to move on.If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe and leave a rating within your favorite podcast platform, e.g., Apple Podcasts, Spotify, etc.P.S. If you're waiting for the pandemic to end before you update your company's strategy, you're wasting valuable time. I'll show you how to create a data-driven strategy in one day for the next 12 – 18 months. Get everyone in your team aligned on the same goals and you'll make the most out of 2022.Register here: https://rubenugarte.com/webinar-creating-a-data-driven-2022-strategy/
The post-pandemic fall that we all expected isn't unfolding as we hoped. However, you still need to be ready for 2022. Do you have a strategy that will make the most of these uncertain times?If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe and leave a rating within your favorite podcast platform, e.g., Apple Podcasts, Spotify, etc.P.S. If you're waiting for the pandemic to end before you update your company's strategy, you're wasting valuable time. I'll show you how to create a data-driven strategy in one day for the next 12 – 18 months. Get everyone in your team aligned on the same goals and you'll make the most out of 2022.Register here: https://rubenugarte.com/webinar-creating-a-data-driven-2022-strategy/
Trying to predict the future is a fruitless task. Learn how a recent trip to Costa Rica reinforced this lesson and how your company can avoid getting caught up in this psychological trap.If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe and leave a rating within your favorite podcast platform, e.g., Apple Podcasts, Spotify, etc.
The Tokyo Olympics have ended, and the results are in. In terms of the total count, the USA is number 1, China is number 2, and Japan is number 3. The results aren't surprising, but why do some countries consistently dominate the Olympics while others struggle? Listen to this week's episode to find out.If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe and leave a rating within your favorite podcast platform, e.g., Apple Podcasts, Spotify, etc.
Companies and people can get stuck debating pointless issues. Learn why in today's episode and why you should only do things that will visibly impact the customer.If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe and leave a rating within your favorite podcast platform, e.g., Apple Podcasts, Spotify, etc.
The world is getting warmer, and companies need to think about adjusting to extreme climate events. Even if you don't operate in a climate-danger zone, you will be affected by the increasingly wild events we are seeing. If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe and leave a rating within your favorite podcast platform, e.g., Apple Podcasts, Spotify, etc.
The restaurant business is tough in normal times and even tougher during the pandemic. However, there are always restaurants that seemed to thrive in any economy while others will close down in one year. In this episode, I talk about the reasons behind these discrepancies and the lessons for any business.If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe and leave a rating within your favorite podcast platform, e.g., Apple Podcasts, Spotify, etc.
Watching the Euro Cup 2020, I was reminded that some companies operate in teams while others are just a group of individuals. In this week's episode, learn about the value of blinking green lights and walking signs.If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe and leave a rating within your favorite podcast platform, e.g., Apple Podcasts, Spotify, etc.
In our lives and companies, we often play the role of referees. We tell ourselves and our teams that we can't launch a new product in less than 6 months. We can't increase profit by 10%, or we can't just go into a new market until all the factors are in the right place. Learn why these limitations are arbitrary in this week's episode.If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe and leave a rating within your favorite podcast platform, e.g., Apple Podcasts, Spotify, etc.
You can look in your data for insights or validation. Everyone thinks they are doing the former, but that's not my experience. In this episode, you will learn the difference between these two approaches and choose the right one.If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe and leave a rating within your favorite podcast platform, e.g., Apple Podcasts, Spotify, etc.
Making mistakes is unavoidable but repeating the same mistakes is not. Are you falling into the same mental traps? I'll give you 3 ideas on how to design better systems and avoid watching re-runs of your decisions.If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe and leave a rating within your favorite podcast platform, e.g., Apple Podcasts, Spotify, etc.
Complexity is like the mermaid song that used to terrified sailors. If you heard a mermaid singing, you will fall under her spell and crash your ship. Why are we attracted to complexity, and how do we establish guardrails against it?If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe and leave a rating within your favorite podcast platform, e.g., Apple Podcasts, Spotify, etc.
I'm constantly asked by clients how to get their teams to take more ownership of their decisions. In this episode, I shared the LDMM model for determining when you should involve other people in decisions and when you need to make them yourself.If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe and leave a rating within your favorite podcast platform, e.g., Apple Podcasts, Spotify, etc.
The "setup" period of any technical project is exciting and glamorous. However, who will do the unsexy maintenance? Without it, everything will eventually collapse. Learn how to walk the fine balance of long-term thinking.If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe and leave a rating within your favorite podcast platform, e.g., Apple Podcasts, Spotify, etc.
Being able to test ideas systematically is something that every team knows they should be doing, but few can execute on consistently. In this episode, I'll show you how to design testing frameworks that are sustainable even during your busiest season.If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe and leave a rating within your favorite podcast platform, e.g., Apple Podcasts, Spotify, etc.
All decisions have unexpected consequences. How do you minimize them? Learn how in this week's episode.If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe and leave a rating within your favorite podcast platform, e.g., Apple Podcasts, Spotify, etc.
Speed in decisions has been the mantra of the past 12 months. However, everyone knows the faster decisions can be better than slower ones. Why don't we do it then? I believe that we don't fear speed, but we do fear poor judgment.If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe and leave a rating within your favorite podcast platform, e.g., Apple Podcasts, Spotify, etc.
I think data is a fantastic tool for training our intuition. In your toughest situations, all you will have is your gut feeling. You can't tell people to hold off for one minute while you run a data analysis to determine the next step. I'll show you 3 strategies for training your gut feeling with data.If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe and leave a rating within your favorite podcast platform, e.g., Apple Podcasts, Spotify, etc.
We don't quite understand why we age. Aging is a major factor in other diseases like cancer, heart attacks, and strokes but what if we could slow down aging? Would that make other diseases irrelevant? More importantly, are we tackling the right problems in medicine and our companies?If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe and leave a rating within your favorite podcast platform, e.g., Apple Podcasts, Spotify, etc.
A year into the pandemic, governments are still struggling to make the right decisions for COVID-19. I'll share 4 reasons why and what you can learn for your business and life.If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe and leave a rating within your favorite podcast platform, e.g., Apple Podcasts, Spotify, etc.
Elif Shafak, the Turkish writer, talks about the three types of temples built by humankind: “those that aspire to reach out to the skies, those that wished to bring the skies closer down to the ground and those that did both.” St. Peters Basilica is one of the rare buildings that did both. In today's episode, learn why we should be building for the long term.If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe and leave a rating within your favorite podcast platform, e.g., Apple Podcasts, Spotify, etc.
Retail isn't dying, but it is changing. Retailers with strong brands will come out even stronger after this pandemic. Consumers want experiences and brands that they can recognize. Are you ready for the future of retailing? If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe and leave a rating within your favorite podcast platform, e.g., Apple Podcasts, Spotify, etc.
Figuring out what to wear or what to eat may seem like minor decisions. They may even seem inconsequential, but every decision we make drains our energy. Worst of all, it's easy to use this knowledge to put off making important decisions, such as providing feedback to your team or carving out time with your romantic partner.Learn why you should automate or routinize your most common decisions in this week's episode.If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe and leave a rating within your favorite podcast platform, e.g., Apple Podcasts, Spotify, etc.
COVID-19 forced all companies into running experiments. Companies adopted online booking, appointments, and other ideas out of necessity. How many of these ideas will and should continue beyond the pandemic? If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe and leave a rating within your favorite podcast platform, e.g., Apple Podcasts, Spotify, etc.
The biggest ideas start on paper as a goal. Executives know that effective leadership goal setting is a prerequisite for running a good company. In this episode, I want to give you 3 ideas to set yourself up for success and set the right goals.If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe and leave a rating within your favorite podcast platform, e.g., Apple Podcasts, Spotify, etc.
If you have ever driven by the modern farm, you're bound to see huge metal cylinders. These cylinders store grain and other products are also called silos. They also represent what can we happen to data inside companies. Data can also end up stuck inside silos. This episode will help you understand why data silos are problematic and how to start breaking down the walls.If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe and leave a rating within your favorite podcast platform, e.g., Apple Podcasts, Spotify, etc.
I love the term data enablement. It sounds fancy and complex. In reality, it merely means that you want people to use data to make decisions. In this episode, you'll learn how to do this successfully.If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe and leave a rating within your favorite podcast platform, e.g., Apple Podcasts, Spotify, etc.
Death, taxes, and Tom Brady winning the Super Bowl. Tom won this game in the most boring way possible and why your fundamentals should be the same.If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe and leave a rating within your favorite podcast platform, e.g., Apple Podcasts, Spotify, etc.
AI is changing our world, but we haven't fully understood how to answer the ethical questions around it. In this week's episode, I share 3 concepts to help you better design good AI programs.If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe and leave a rating within your favorite podcast platform, e.g., Apple Podcasts, Spotify, etc.
I love controversial sports decisions. It always seems like the "right" decision was obvious, but that isn't always the case. In this episode, I go back in time to review the famous (or infamous) decision to throw a pass in Super Bowl 49.If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe and leave a rating within your favorite podcast platform, e.g., Apple Podcasts, Spotify, etc.
Choosing technology is something that most companies enjoy. It feels like Christmas, except it happens every month. You'll learn why your technology should be invisible, why data flows matters, the 5 elements of data infrastructure, and more.In this week's episode, I want to help you get the most of your data technology.If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe and leave a rating within your favorite podcast platform, e.g., Apple Podcasts, Spotify, etc.
If you have ever watched any cooking shows, you'll notice that all the relevant ingredients are easily accessible. They are usually right in front of the contestants. This is one of the secrets to make cooking more enjoyable.The worst time to look for an ingredient is while your food is burning. The same thing happens when using data to make decisions. You need to have everything ready instead of looking for a metric in the middle of a high stakes campaign.In this week's episode, I want to share 6 actionable strategies for using data to make decisions.If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe and leave a rating within your favorite podcast platform e.g. Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and others.